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Breaking Bad Season 1 Episode 4

Cancer Man

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 2/17/08

The DEA becomes suspicious of a new drug kingpin. Walt reveals that he has cancer to Marie and Hank. Elsewhere, Jesse visits his estranged family.

FAN RECAP

Fan Episode Reviews (4)

Things slow down a bit as Walt faces his family knowing about his cancer and Jesse faces his own family

8.6

By JaCkKbAuEr2424, Jan 27, 2011

There was a lot of family drama going on in this episode, and it's not that I don't have a problem with family drama.. but it's undeniably slower compared to the previous three episodes. But all that matters is how the episode does on its own, and it certainly achieves a lot for there not actually being much action or tension. Instead, we get Walt telling his family that he has cancer and seeing how they react to that information. Meanwhile, we see an entirely different side of Jesse, proving not only that he's not just a throwaway supporting character but that he's just as important to the show as Walt is. It's apparent that Jesse was part of a strict family that had high expectations for him and that all went south when he got involved with drugs. The little scenes we do see with his family prove a.) that Jesse still does have love for his family and that b.) he's not just a drug addict without an education.. he clearly is intelligent and is willing to sacrifice the way his family perceives him to keep his brother pure.

I thought the only throwaway scene here (and trust me, there's barely any of these in the show) was the one where Hank takes Walt Jr. to see Wendy the prostitute. Of course, having seen the show already, I know that Wendy will come back throughout the show, but her introduction here felt shoehorned in, and I feel as if the scene between Walt Jr and Hank would've worked somewhere else besides this episode.

But otherwise, we get some great moments between Walt and everybody else and Jesse and his family.. and every single time that Walt and Jesse are on screen with each other, the episode ignites. They have a relationship with each other like father and son, despite the times they argue, and for me, this was a sign that Jesse was just as vital a part of the show as Walt.moreless
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7.5

By Canogaparkcindy, Oct 16, 2010

Another slow paced episode of Breaking Bad, but it was an entertaining installment. The thing that I felt that was missing was the climax, all the other episodes have been slow paced, but in the last 15 minutes, we get one of the most intense scenes on television.

This episode didn't really have much of that, it was just an entertaining watch that brought us development. Although for a season as short as this one, I'm not sure that's what this show needed, but regardless, it was entertaining.

So this episode was the aftermath of Skylar finding out that Walt has cancer, they see a very expensive doctor and then he destroys some jerk's car in the very end. Not that eventful on Walt's front. Jesse's plot definitely stole the show here. Getting to know is family was very intriguing.

Plus we got definitely a surprising ending. With his brother being perfect, and then Jesse's parents kicking him out for possession of drugs, but truly he just covered for his little brother. I loved the dynamic between the two brothers. Excited to see the next episode, hopefully Jesse & Walt get more interactions. Good slow burning episode.moreless
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You know...

9.0

By Neksmater, Jun 17, 2010

Even though some people may think that this show is slowly getting to be a tired, action-less boring drama, then think again. Even in a reasonably slower paced episode we get to learn more about how Walt and Skyler met, and Walter Jr. getting scared out of "doing marijuana" are still well written and engaging stories. Even Jesse visiting a hooker friend of his to cope with the stress of his unsteady partnership with Walt ends. Even though both vowed never to see each other again, the audience knows the truth, but the ability to continue to surprise us and keep us on edge about what's happening is one of the main reasons Breaking Bad is so good.moreless
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A little slow out the gate.

8.7

By tjaman, Feb 19, 2008

Honestly, this one felt a little low energy for too much of it. Skyler and those awful inlaws and then his son being such a bitca. Y'know kid? Whatever you're feeling, he's feeling, and on top of that he can barely breathe. He's trying to be realistic and you're acting like he's giving up. "Just die already."

OK, yeah, I get it, that's the grief talking, but part of why he's not looking to dive into a huge debt hole that might not actually help (his first diagnosis said "inoperable") is because you're sick and now there's an "oops" baby on the way and there's a zillion things that might be wrong with that child.

I also thought this was the best possible way to introduce us to Pink's folks. And also a moment of validation that you can be as involved in your kid's life as you want to be and they might still get mixed up in drugs. Hell, just the amount of pressure to be "perfect" all the time can do it. It was a nice little thumbnail -- especially the dynamic of "who's the favorite."

The purpose of this episode was to illustrate the effects of the drug (tweekin' out, hallucinations, paranoia, etc.) and to illustrate the pressures on Walt -- specifically, the money pressure. And we knew some of it already, but now that Skyler's insisting that he get second opinions and chemo regimens and all of that, um, yeah you should go back to work. I mean, it's not like junior needs 24/7 care, and "borrowing from the pension" is a crappy idea even if that was what he was actually doing.

"Ken Wins." Man, that was cool. That meaningless jerk of a side character who goes through life and takes whatever he wants and says whatever he wants and has no consideration for anyone else. I loved Walt's very simple, very low-key destruction of his pretty little public erection.

It was hard to completely ignore how close to the pumps that flaming car was, but with any luck at all, the "fire people" will be there momentarily. :P

It was cool that Pink gave him at least some of the money he owed him, and it'll be interesting to see what if any improved precautions they'll take next time. :)

Because oh yes. There must be a next time. :Dmoreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

EDIT

Bryan Cranston	Walter White
Anna Gunn	Skyler White
Aaron Paul	Jesse Pinkman
Dean Norris	Hank Schrader
Betsy Brandt	Marie Schrader
RJ Mitte	Walter White Jr.

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

EDIT

Kyle Bornheimer	Phoning Costumer	Guest Star
Ben Petry	Jake Pinkman	Guest Star
Jon Kristian Moore	DEA Agent	Guest Star
Tess Harper	Mrs. Pinkman	Recurring Role
Steven Michael Quezada	Steven Gomez	Recurring Role
Michael Bofshever	Mr. Pinkman	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (0)
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- ADD TRIVIA from this episode.
QUOTES (1)
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- Walt, Jr.: Hey, I want a beer.
  Hank: Yeah? I want Shania Twain to give me a tuggy. Guess what? That ain't happening either.
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NOTES (2)
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- Original International Air Dates:
  Czech Republic: February 4, 2011 on Nova Cinema
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- Featured Music:
  
  "Etienne de Silhouette" by Black Feather
  "Fly" by The Pack
  "Baby Girl, I'm A Blur" by Say Anything
  "String Quartet in D Major, Op. 64, No. 5, 'The Lark'" by Franz Joseph Haydn
  "Didn't I" by Darondo
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ALLUSIONS (3)
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- Hank: "Hey, Sky, you got anymore chicken? Emeril here is gonna need a fresh pack. Bam!"
  Emeril is a chef with his own television series, Emeril Live. He is famously known for saying, "Bam!" when he is cooking.
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- Hank: This dude's like The Jeffersons- movin' on up.
  He is referring to the television show, The Jeffersons. The theme song to the show repeats the phrase, "Movin' on up" to describe the family's ascent to wealthy living.
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- Title:
  
  The episode's title alludes to The X-Files character The Smoking Man (C.G.B. Spender) who was often referred to as Cancer Man by Agent Mulder. Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan served as an executive producer on The X-Files and also wrote 30 episodes for the series.
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